Floating deck for oil storage tanks



. 6, 1932. L. J. OSWALD FLOATING DECK FOR OIL STORAGE TANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 File' d Aug. 25, 1951 I. JT Oawa/a 4016;;

Dec. 6, 1932. J. OSWALD FLOATING DECK FOR OIL STORAGE TANKS Filed Aug. 25, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 5' :4 .ZZZOJWd/d A I flilomey 6, 1932. ggw 1,890,189

FLOATING DECK FOR OIL STORAGE TANKS Filed Aug. 25, 1931 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invenlor Patented Dec. 6, 1932 "l" @FFICE LOUIS J. OSWALD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FLOATING DECK FOR GIL STORAGE. TANKS Application filed August 25, 1931. Serial No. 559,320.

This invention relates to means for reducing the losses through evaporation of oil, gasoline and the like located in tanks and also for reducing lire hazards.

A general object of the invention is to provide a floating deck which floats on the contents of the deck and a plurality of wedge members slidably engaged with the periphcry of the deck for partially closing the space between the deck and the walls of the tank.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of the tank and floating deck and shield.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevational view therethrough.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. a is a perspective view of one of the wedge members.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 5 designates generally a conventional tank opened at its top and adapted to contain gasoline, crude oil, naptha or t ie like. Rising from the bottom of the tank 5 is a plurality of relatively spaced short standards or uprights 6. These uprights 6 are adapted to support on their upper ends what may be, and is herein termed a floating deck the same consisting of a disk or plate 7, formed of metal, wood or other suitable material and provided with a peripheral rim 8 that extends upwardly and inwardly and at its up per edge merges into an outwardly and upwardly extending flange 9 thus providing on the outer periphery of the rim a circular groove 10 substantially D-shaped in cross section.

The floating deck or closure member consisting of the plate-like member and peripheral rim as just described, is of such a weight as to be easily floated by the liquid contents of the tank 5, and is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the tank 5.

The deck 7 of the floating disk is of course provided with a vent 15, manhole l6, cagers which extends into the groove 10, so that the-devices are caused to raise and lower with the raising and lowering of the deck.

In actual practice, the space between the peripheral wall of the tank, and the rim of the floating deck should not be less than six inches, which is absolutely necessary so as to allow free movement of the deck and wedges, as occasioned by the rise or fall of I the liquid level in the tank during pumping operation.

The movement of the deck and wedges is free and easy, thus obviating any chance of fouling the wedges, yet permitting the plates 11 .of'the wedgesjto always have a bearing a contact with the wall of the tank so as to, in conjunction with the floating deck, provide a closure for the tank, which greatly reduces the losses from evaporation and also reduces the fire hazards.

There is also provided an apron or guard 18, to be used as found desirable, to substantially close the opening or space between the rim of the floating deck and the peripheral wall of the tank, against the entrance of rain, snow and ice. The apron or guard 13 is formed from metal, wood, or other suitable material, and is in the nature of a circular disk, provided with an opening in its center, and having the edge thereof about said opening bent downwardly and inwardly to provide a flange 14 receivable within the confines of the flange 9 provided on rim 8. (See Fig. 2.)

The shield or guard 13 is of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the tank 5, and at its outer peripheral edge may be welded, riveted or otherwise secured to the upper end of the plates 11 so as to rise and fall with the Wedges.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the floating deck and sliding wedges embodying the features of the present invention serve to reduce loss by evaporation and fire, to a minimum, as the device forms a blanket on the liquid contents of the tank, whether it be crude oil, gasoline, naphtha or the like, and, will rise and fall withthe level of the liquid.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodimentof the invention, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the several parts of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein.

' Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new is V 1. In combination, a storage tank for gasoline and the like, a floating deck arranged in the tank and including a'flange extending upwardly from the deck and having a V- shaped groove therein, wedge members extending into the groove and a runner attached to each wedge member and slidingly engaging the tank.

2. In combination, a storage tank for gasoline and the like, a floating deck arranged in the tank and including a flange extending up- 7 wardly from the deck and having a l-shaped groove therein, wedge members extending into the groove and a runner attached'to each wedge member and slidingly engaging the tank, and a ring shaped member having its outer periphery attached to the upper part of the runner with its inner portion sloping downwardly and inwardly and located over the upper part of the fiange'of the deck.

' In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

- LOUIS J O S WALD. 

